First Look: 2024 Polestar 3 EV Debuts with Powerful Design & 517-HP

The rate at which new electrified vehicles are being introduced is reaching a fevered pitch. If it seems to you that just read about another new electric car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, bicycle or skateboard… well, you probably did. 

First, who is Polestar and what electric vehicles can we expect?

The latest in what promises to be a long line of introductions is the Polestar 3, which was unveiled in, of all places, a former locomotive factory in Copenhagen, Denmark.

For those a bit late to the game, Polestar is the electrified automotive brand that was formally launched in October 2017. Jointly owned by Volvo and that company’s Chinese parent company, Geely, Polestar is truly a dual-citizenship situation. Its headquarters are in Gothenburg, Sweden, and its current manufacturing facility is in Chengdu, China.

Polestar has now released three vehicles: the 1, the 2 and the 3. (Simple, right?)

2024 Polestar 3 global debut in Copenhagen, Denmark | Photo: Polestar 

Polestar 1 and Polestar 2

Polestar 1 was a truly scintillating high-performance plug-in hybrid grand tourer. Produced in limited quantities, it featured 619 total system horsepower and an all-electric range of 124 km, easily among the best for a hybrid vehicle. The Polestar 1 was and remains a fantastic vehicle, an honest-to-goodness halo car for the age of electrification.

Yet, it’s going to go down in history as the first and only hybrid for Polestar; at launch, it was confirmed that all future products will be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). 

True to their word, the Polestar 2 was introduced in 2020, becoming the first BEV for the fledgling brand. Now, we have the Polestar 3 an all-electric SUV that looks set to establish a new benchmark for the brand. 

For a closer look at the Polestar 2, here’s our comparison review against the Tesla Model 3. 

Polestar 3 SUV specs and features up close

2024 Polestar 3 | Photo: Polestar 

A 517 horsepower high-performance EV SUV

The first version of the Polestar 3 to appear will feature a dual-motor configuration, a total of 489 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. With the optional Performance Pack added to the vehicle configurator, output increases to 517 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque. The Polestar brass is quick to refer to the 3 as a high-performance EV SUV and the numbers appear to bear this out. 

So, too, does the torque split (which sends more power to the rear wheels even in normal driving conditions), the torque vectoring dual clutch (which over-accelerates the outside rear wheel during cornering) and adjustable air suspension system.

Estimated 482 km of electric range from a 111-kWh battery pack

The launch version will be fitted with a 111-kWh battery pack that provides an estimated 482 km (300 miles) of range, according to EPA estimates. The Polestar 3 is equipped to support bi-directional charging, the process by which excess charge in the vehicle battery can be diverted back to the grid. 

2024 Polestar 3 | Photo: Polestar 

If the timed release of the Polestar 3 follows the model established by the Polestar 2, there should be a single-motor version down the road and possibly a single-motor version with an even longer range. 

SmartZone

Apart from its performance and range, one of the most interesting aspects of the Polestar 3 is the SmartZone, positioned on the front fascia just below the ultra-cool front aero wing. This area combines several forward-facing sensors, a heated radar module and a camera, all systems engineered to provide new levels of driver assistance. 

The Polestar 3 comes standard with five radar modules, five external cameras and 12 external ultrasonic sensors in total, so the SmartZone represents a focal point for this exhaustive approach to safety. 

2024 Polestar 3 | Photo: Polestar 

A driver-monitor system with dual cameras called Smart Eye is also standard. The NVIDIA DRIVE core computer is the on-board brains of the operation, processing data from all the sensors and cameras in a flash.

Starting in 2024, an optional Pilot Pack will also include a LiDAR system, three more cameras, four more ultrasonic sensors, and a cleaning system for the front- and rearview cameras. With all of this equipment added in, Polestar shows how serious they are about moving towards autonomous driving. 

Design: a stylized five-passenger SUV

In terms of design, the team at Polestar continues its winning streak. The Polestar 3 is an extremely stylish and stylized five-passenger SUV with a range of cool design touches. The aerodynamic profile is aided and abetted by the aforementioned front aero wing, recessed door handles, rear aero blades and another wing integrated into the rear spoiler. The long hood and sloping roofline scream both performance and luxury.

Polestar 3 interior

Inside, the brand’s noted approach to sustainability is on full display. Rather than follow the trends and opt for vegan leather—which contains toxic PVC material—the Polestar 3 is swatched in animal welfare certified genuine leather and wool upholstery. 

2024 Polestar 3 | Photo: Polestar 

After the Polestar 2 was introduced, the company conducted a complete lifecycle assessment of its cradle-to-grave environment impact. The move made headlines and caused other manufacturers headaches. They plan to release the same assessment for the Polestar 3. 

The cockpit features two screens, a small instrument panel set behind the steering wheel and a 14.5-inch tablet-style deal mounted centrally. As with the Polestar 2, the in-car operating system is Android Auto OS; over-the-air (OTA) updates are included in the price, allowing for regular improvements to the software and, possibly, the introduction of new features down the road. 

2024 Polestar 3 | Photo: Polestar 

2024 Polestar 3 price and availability

Speaking of price, it’s high—the launch edition, which is offered with the Plus and Pilot Packs incorporated, pulls up the curb at $97,400 (CDN). The Plus Pack includes a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 3D surround sound audio system, soft-closing doors and a heated steering wheel. 

The Pilot Pack includes a head-up display, Park Assist Pilot and Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Polestar 3 is available to order right now with customer deliveries expected in the final quarter of 2023.